Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody received a momentous welcome at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, after successfully completing a gruelling 500-mile charity cycling challenge. The remarkable feat, undertaken in the run-up to the Premiership final, has already amassed more than £500,000 in aid of motor neurone disease (MND) research.
Moody, who was diagnosed with MND last year, embarked on the extensive cycle alongside a dedicated group of former teammates, friends, and family. The route commenced in Newcastle, winding its way south via his former clubs, Leicester and Bath. The final leg began at Bracknell RFC, a club significant as it marked the start of Moody’s rugby journey at the age of five. Upon arrival, Moody had the honour of delivering the match ball ahead of the Premiership final between Northampton and Exeter.
The cycling challenge saw several rugby legends join Moody at various stages, including fellow World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson. His wife, Annie, and sons, Dylan and Ethan, were also part of the final finishers, sharing emotional embraces at the Rose and Poppy Gates just before midday on final day. The fundraising effort directly supports the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, established by the late Scotland and Lions lock Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 after battling MND for six years.
Speaking on the completion of the ride, Moody reflected on the journey's impact. "Throughout this ride, we've met so many people living with motor neurone disease at different stages of progression, and for me and my family to see that is hard, but you have to front up to the reality of the disease, because it is a difficult disease," he stated. He emphasised the growing hope in the fight against MND, attributing it to the foundational work of Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, and his own commitment to the cause. "Hope is meaningless without action, and that's why we're here, and that's why we need everybody from all walks of life to front up too," Moody added.
The widespread support for Moody's challenge was evident, with former Leicester and England colleagues like Tom Croft and Martin Corry cycling alongside him to the finish. Broadcaster Jill Douglas, a patron of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, was also present to celebrate their arrival. Since its inception, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has committed over £23.5 million towards vital research into effective treatments and a cure for MND, making every pound raised by Moody's challenge a significant contribution to their ongoing efforts.
Moody expressed profound gratitude for the collective effort. "It's meant the world to me to see the level of support we've had all along the route," he said, highlighting the camaraderie among his former teammates. "When you're part of a team, it's about standing up for each other, and whilst it's a tough reason for us all to come together – my diagnosis – they're desperate to help me, my family, and the Foundation get to where we need to."
Source: My Name'5 Doddie Foundation